Zach Galifianakis in Final Negotiations to Join Owen Wilson in Relativity Heist Comedy (Exclusive)

The comedian who stole many scenes throughout the “Hangover” trilogy is planning a different kind of caper

Zach Galifianakis is in final negotiations to star opposite Owen Wilson in Relativity’s Untitled Armored Car Project, which was formerly titled “Loomis Fargo,” TheWrap has learned.

Galifianakis and Wilson recently worked together on the indie comedy “You Are Here,” written and directed by “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner.

Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite”) will direct the Relativity comedy from a script by Chris Bowman and Hubbel Palmer, based on an original screenplay by Emily Spivey (“Up All Night”).

Jim Carrey had been circling the lead role but a scheduling conflict will keep him from the project, which is expected to start production next summer in North Carolina.

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Inspired by true events that occurred in 1997, the story follows a disgruntled armored car driver (Galifianakis) who teams up with a pretty co-worker and a group of inexperienced criminals to steal nearly $20 million from a bank vault. The thieves leave a glaring trail of evidence in their wake as they go on excessive spending sprees and buy mansions, sports cars and boats. To make matters worse, the driver’s accomplices double-cross him and leave him alone on the run in Mexico while they live the good life off the loot back in the States. Now the only thing tougher than pulling off the heist will be turning the tables on those who betrayed him.

Lorne Michaels (“Saturday Night Live”) and John Goldwyn (“Dexter”) will produce the movie, while Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Kevin J. Messick will executive produce with Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh and president Tucker Tooley. Relativity’s Brett Dahl will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.

Relativity came on to finance, produce and distribute the comedy back in January. The studio will release Scott Cooper’s star-studded drama “Out of the Furnace” on Dec. 6.

Also Read: ‘The Hangover Part III’ Review: Thank God for Peculiar, Perverse – and Outrageously Funny – Galifianakis

Galifiankis has cemented himself as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after comedic actors since the massive success of “The Hangover” trilogy. He’ll soon be seen in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s comedy “Birdman” and Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted.”

Galifianakis is represented by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, while Wilson is repped by UTA.

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